Track-laying device



Sept. 4, 1928.

l. SANTOS Y SUAREZ ET AL TRACK LAYING DEVICE Filed M 26, 1927 CTI Patented Sept. il, 1928.

` NETE@ ST'iEQ maant ISAAC SANTOS Y SUAREZ ANI) ANGEL ACOSTA Y VELO, 10F HABANA, CUBA..

TRACK-LAYI'NG- DEVICE.

Application filed May 2.6,

rllhis invention relates to rural transport means, where use is made at present of known devices of old types, which are difficult to op crate and move, particularly so in rainy seasons, and over soft and rough ground.

One advantage of the invention lays in providing means to support and move heavy loads, whatever may be the condition of the ground.

Another advantage is its construction which results in a saving of power in operating it.

Another advantage is that it does not require the attention of a skilled operator, and that repairs are easily made, due to the simplicity of construct-ion and the small number of elements of which it is composed.

Another advantage'is the elimination of injurious traction, and reduction of lubrication costs with the avoidance of over-heating at any speed, so that the life thereof is practically unlimited.

A further advantage over wheels at present in use, is its quietness of operation, preventing disturbing oxen, when running and their failure to hear the commands of the driver.

rllhe above and other advantages are set forth clearly hereinafter, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters denote like parts thereof in the several views, and wherein;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved device.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Figure 3 is an elevation, looking` towards the outer face of one of the links of the track laying element.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 looking towards the inner face of the link and further illustrating a pair of bearing balls positioned relative to such face.

s Fig. 5 is a side view of the cage holding the balls equidistantly spaced.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, the device includes a track-laying element formed of a series of links 1 which are articulated together. rllhe track-laying element is endless. The outer face of each link 1 is flat and its inner face is formed with a transversely eX- tending web or rib 2 to provide spacing means for sets of bearing balls to be presently referred to. The web or rib 2-is substantially Y-shape in cross section and with the broad- 1927. vsemi ira-194,410.

est portion thereof integral with the inner face of the link 1. Each link 1 is of i'ectangud lar contour and has one side formed with-a pair ofopposed spaced apertured barrels fl. The other side 4of the link, centrally thereof is provided with an apertured wing or barrel 5. `rlhe wing 5 of one link is positioned between a. pair of barrels l of an adjacentI link and the wings 5 are connected to the wings l by bolts 3 whereby the links are devices 8 in the form of bolts and nuts.

The plates 6 are provided with apertures 9, 10 and 11, aperture 11 being concentric with respect to bushing 12 which is secured to said plates 6 by means of holdfast devices 13.

Mounted on the separators 8 is a pair of opposed endless strips or straps 14, l5, which provide ball races. Positioned around the strip 14 and bearing thereagainst is a set of spaced bearing balls 16 and positioned around and bearing against the strip l5 is aset of spaced bearing balls 17. The bearing` balls project beyond the side plates 6 and abut against the inner face of the track-laying element and constitute bearing means therefor. The balls of each set are arranged in spaced relation and permanently fixed with respect to each other by means of a cage or frame 18. A cage or frame 18 is employed for each set of balls. The cages maintain the balls spaced equi-distant, and allow the balls to revolve freely, thus preventing` their cramniing into the extremes or ends of the device when'the latter is active. The webs or ribs 2 on the inner faces of the links 1 maintain the sets of balls in spaced `relation as the balls 16 travel y against one side of the webs and the balls 17 against the other side of the webs.

Having thusdescribed our invention, what ywe claim as our invention and desire to proteet by Letters Patent is set forth in the following claims:

1. A track-laying device comprising a pair of opposed, spaced plates, means for connecting the plates together and for maintaining them in spaced relation, a pair of opposed strips surrounding said means and forming ball races, two spaced sets of spaced bearing balls, each set positioned on a. strip, a cage for yeach set of balls, and an endless, articulated track-laying,r element travelling on said sets of balls.

2. A track-laying device comprisingr a pair of opposed, spaced plates, means for conneet-ing the plates together and for maintaining them in spaced relation, a pair of opposed strips surrounding said means and forming ball races, two spaced sets of spaced bearing balls, each set positioned on a strip, a cage for each set. of balls, an endless articulated track-laying element travelling on said sets of balls, and means on the inner face of said element for separating said sets of balls.

3. A track-laying device comprising a pair of opposed, spaced plates, means for connectingl the plates together and for maintaining them in spaced relation, means to provide a pair of ball races between said plates, two spaced sets of spaced bearing balls, each set associated with a race, a cage for each set of balls to maintain the balls of the set in spaced sets of spaced bearing balls, each set associated with a race, acage for each set of balls to maintain the balls of the set in spaced relation, said balls extending beyond said plates, an endless, articulated track-laying` element travelling on said sets of balls, and means on the inner face of said element and extending between said sets of balls for separating said sets relatively to each other.

In witness whereof we have signed the present specilications and claims, at Habana, the 11th of December, 1926. y

ISAAC SANTOS Y SUAREZ. ANGEL ACOSTA Y VELO. 

